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Arsenal 1 Southampton 0: Irrepressible Henry inspires Arsenal

THE Double may have eluded them this time, but Arsenal retained the FA Cup yesterday to ensure that the team Arsène Wenger insists is the best in the country did not end the season empty-handed.

David Seaman is not the daintiest of movers these days, but old “Safe Hands” capered with the best of them around the ceremonial dais after captaining Arsenal on what may well be his last appearance. The goal Robert Pires forced home after 38 minutes was enough to win a final that rarely rose above the mundane, although it did take a last-minute goalline clearance from Ashley Cole to stop James Beattie taking the issue to extra time.

The margin should never have been that close. Arsenal were nowhere near their most fluent, yet spurned a hatful of chances against opponents who looked what they are: mid-table journeymen. Unfortunately for the uncommitted, they could not match